Brazilian waterweed(Egeria densa)

The Egeria densa is a pretty decorative plant, depolluting and anti-algae. However, it requires a little maintenance, including being cut regularly! Indeed, it grows so quickly that you could quickly find yourself invaded. It is a very good choice for the beginner aquarist.

Who is the Egeria densa?

The Egeria densa will adapt very easily to many configurations. Moreover, it can be used in both freshwater aquariums and outdoor ponds.

Its growth is very fast, and even breathtaking (up to 15 cm or 6 inches each week)!

It is quite tolerant with water parameters, although it will be more comfortable in slightly hard water. It will also support a wide temperature range of 5 to 28°C or 41 to 82°F. Nevertheless, a temperature between 19 and 23°C or 66 and 73°F will be ideal.

It is a species at once very beautiful but also useful for the cleanup of the aquarium and the outdoor pond.

Planting and maintenance

How to plant and maintain the Egeria densa?

The main requirement of the plant will be the brightness it receives. Indeed, it likes light, and if possible sunlight. Provide for a minimum average lighting, ideally intense (1 watt for 4 liters or 1 gallon to 1 watt for 2 liters or 0.5 gallons).

For maintenance, it is of course the size of this plant that will occupy you the most! Indeed, if you let the plant grow, its stem can reach between 1 and 3 meters or 40 and 120 inches. This will create a thick layer of stems and leaves on the surface of your aquarium, depriving all plants below light, including the Elodea densa! Besides, the foot will eventually lose its leaves and wither if it is deprived of light by its summit. Well maintained, this "jungle" Egeria densa can be pretty...

The Egeria is quite versatile: planted in the substrate or used as a floating plant, aquarium or pond, everything suits it!

Good to Know

Small useful info: Egeria densa is very effective against algae. It feeds on the same elements as it does, and consumes a large part of it in view of its needs. It will prevent the development of algae by depriving them of nutrients.

Invasive plant that can potentially cause problems to the fauna and flora of its environment without regular maintenance of the aquarist.

Small tip: this plant is a good barometer of living conditions in your aquarium. If the plant loses its colours, it is deteriorating.

In its natural environment, Searchers have difficulty even measuring the size of this huge plant with certainty!